Vélo Series Takes to the South Downs

Our new 100-mile closed road cycling event Vélo South sells out in just four days

In February, we officially launched the inaugural Vélo South, a brand new 100-mile closed road cycling event for the UK. Following on from the Vélo Birmingham sportive that we delivered in September 2017, this is the latest instalment of the Vélo Series organised by the Active team. It will be one of only two available opportunities to ride 100 miles on closed roads in Britain in 2018.

Vélo South was unveiled at the London Bike Show by Rugby World Cup Winning captain Martin Johnson CBE and 1982 UCI World Race Champion Mandy Jones. This followed a pre-launch campaign that generated over 25,000 pre-registrations, with entries to the event sold on a first come first served basis exclusively to all those who had pre-registered. Owing to phenomenal interest from cyclists across the UK and beyond, we sold out of all general entry places in just four days.

The only way for prospective participants to now enter is through one of Vélo South’s Lead Charity Partners – Alzheimer’s Society, Age UK, Restart Rugby and the British Heart Foundation – or via the Vélo South Business 100 challenge, which offers a VIP experience coupled with exclusive networking opportunities and training events.

The event will take place on Sunday 23rd September 2018, with 15,000 riders of all ability levels setting out on a memorable journey through the West Sussex countryside, including the rolling hills of the South Downs National Park. The cycle will start and finish at the iconic Goodwood Motor Racing circuit, the site of Mandy Jones' victory in the women's World Road Race Championship in 1982.

Vélo Series ambassador Martin Johnson said: "Having ridden the inaugural Vélo Birmingham, I know first-hand how exhilarating it is to ride on closed roads and I can't wait to be one of the 15,000 riders lined up on Goodwood Motor Racing Circuit on September 23rd."

His excitement was echoed by Jon Ridgeon, Executive Chairman of the Active team, who said: "We are absolutely delighted with the response to the inaugural Vélo South and thrilled that it has captured the imagination of cyclists from across West Sussex and beyond."